Kalyana Mitrata – spiritual friendship.
“Friendship is integral to the spiritual life” (Sangharakshita)
I have just started reading a book called “Buddhism and Friendship” by Subhuti. I have not read very far into it yet. However, it starts with a conversation between the Buddha and a monk called Ananda. In this conversation, the Buddha says that spiritual friendship is the whole of the spiritual life.
Last night I went to some friends for dinner. I had the most lovely of evenings. All 5 of us are Buddhists – 3 ordained and 2 of us mitras. The other mitra is working towards ordination. The food was delicious – homemade vegan gorgeousness. The hosts are not vegan but went to great lengths to ensure that the food they served was vegan (for me) and sugar (unrefined that is) free for their other guest. But it was the conversation and the love in the room which made the evening. Real true conversation full of love, insight, compassion and laughter.
“In the case of spiritual friendship, we share our experience of the Dharma itself. We share our enthusiasm, our inspiration, and our understanding. We even share our mistakes.”
(Sangharakshita)